Session

About this Session

In the fall of 2023 two brand new Morris County residents decided they wanted to learn more about the history of their small New Jersey town. They leveraged their combined two decades of experience in audio production and digital marketing to create Hometown History NJ, an non-profit organization that harnesses the power of storytelling to preserve the rich and diverse histories of New Jersey's small towns. 

Through high-quality podcasts, community partnerships, and localized narratives, our work moves history out of archives and into the ears and hearts of residents statewide. Drawing on real-world experience from producing place-based historical content across New Jersey, this session will examine how storytelling—especially audio storytelling—can complement traditional preservation methods. By centering the voices of historians, longtime residents, educators, and community leaders, local history becomes more relatable, memorable, and relevant to modern audiences. The session will highlight how these narratives can deepen community pride, broaden participation in preservation efforts, and help ensure that underrepresented stories are documented before they are lost.

Participants will learn how community-driven history projects are developed from concept to publication. 

Topics include:

• Identifying compelling local stories

• Building trust with community partners

• Conducting effective historical interviews

• Balancing narrative storytelling with historical accuracy

The session will also address practical considerations such as research workflows, ethical storytelling practices, and working collaboratively with local historical societies, libraries, and municipalities.

A key focus of the session is accessibility. Digital platforms (particularly podcasts) allow history organizations to reach audiences who may never attend a lecture, visit a museum, or read an academic journal. This session will demonstrate how audio storytelling lowers barriers to entry for both creators and audiences, making local history available to commuters, families, and younger generations. 

Attendees will walk away with:

• An understanding of how storytelling (especially audio narrative) can complement exhibits, walking tours, archives, and educational programming
   
• Practical methods for recruiting and collaborating with community members as co-creators of history. 
   
• Strategies for leveraging digital platforms (like podcasts and newsletters) to preserve and share history beyond traditional museum or archive audiences.

Our expert panel session will include:

• A brief presentation on Hometown History NJ’s mission and model
   
• Case studies of successful episodes that transformed local stories into broader historical understanding. 
   
• Discussion with attendees on challenges and opportunities in community history work

Designed for public historians, preservation professionals, librarians, educators, and community organizers, this session offers a practical framework for expanding the reach and relevance of local history work. While the examples focus on New Jersey communities, the methods and lessons are broadly applicable to organizations of any size seeking to connect the past to the present in meaningful ways.

As New Jersey looks toward major milestones such as the nation’s 250th anniversary, preserving history alone is not enough. Ensuring that residents see themselves in these stories—and feel a sense of ownership over them—is essential. This session argues that community-driven storytelling is not a replacement for traditional preservation, but a powerful companion that brings local history to life, strengthens civic identity, and helps safeguard New Jersey’s diverse heritage for future generations.